CASA Gets New Casa and Grant-Funded Case Supervisor

It's been a banner year for CASA of Santa Cruz County.

The Court Appointed Special Advocates program, a nonprofit that pairs adult volunteers with children who are involved in the court system because of their parents or caregivers, won a prestigious grant and also moved into its "dream house" in 2010.

"This is huge for us," said Danielle Moreno, outreach coordinator for CASA of Santa Cruz County. "We will now be able to serve more children who are in foster care through no fault of their own." 

Thanks to a prestigious grant, CASA has been able to hire a fifth case supervisor and reduce the list of children waiting for a CASA advocate.

The nonprofit won one of 40 "expansion grants" awarded by the National CASA Association of 900 independent CASA organizations this year. As a result, Lois Keiser, a former social worker in Vermont with 20 years experience, joined the CASA team as the older youth specialist. Keiser and four other case supervisors train and support more than 160 volunteers annually.

Keiser's addition to the staff will allow the nonprofit to serve more than 200 children next year, according to CASA Executive Director Nancy Sherrod. In 2010, 174 children have received services from the organization.

CASA attracts volunteers who care about disadvantaged kids. Children in the court system as a result of parental abuse or neglect are paired with a volunteer advocate who offers kind attention and fun activities that expand kids' perspectives on life. 

Melanie Larson of Aptos was named the 27th Assembly District's Woman of the Year for 2009 because of her CASA volunteerism.

"Melanie Larson's accomplishments on behalf of children who are within the court system through no fault of their own represents the positive impact one person can have on the lives of others," state Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Monterey) said.

A child in the court system can slip through the cracks of the overburdened welfare system.

"The best hope for that child is one pair of eyes and ears focused intently upon him or her," according to CASA's website.

Volunteers, who receive 35 hours of training before they're introduced to their child, develop a one-on-one relationship with the child. They also act as the child's advocate and voice in court with attorneys and social workers by reviewing records and talking with those involved in the child's life. Advocates present their best recommendations for the child's well-being to the judge.

The organization still seeks new volunteers. People are asked to give three to five hours a week.

"Being able to bring Lois Keiser on board through the grant and having our new house is opening doors for us to serve more children—but now we need more volunteers," Moreno said.

CASA's second big success this year was the opening of its new office, a newly remodeled house at 813 Freedom Blvd. near Main Street. The Mary and Richard Solari House doubles as offices for 10 staff members and a home-like environment and play area for children and their volunteer advocates.

"The advocates and children come in and out all day long, experiencing things most kids might take for granted," Moreno said. "Last week we had an advocate and youth making stew; another youth and her advocate were sewing flannel pajamas, while two children were being tutored. Sometimes a volunteer will pick up a donated computer to take to their child."

The new digs are impressive. Sherrod has held onto the dream of creating a truly useful and welcoming facility since she took the helm of the nonprofit in 2004.

"Since our advocates, by law, cannot take the children to their own home on their weekly visit, CASA wanted to provide a friendly, home-like environment for the children and advocates," Sherrod said. "The house will also help them dream of a future full of opportunities, as CASA is all about building hope and trust.

"We are so fortunate to have so many donors who believe in these children and the work CASA does."